Kabwila takes APM jet issue to constituency: Still critical of DPP

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) outspoken spokesperson Jessie Kabwila on Sunday addressed her constituents in Salima North west how she found herself in the delegation to the Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) Summit in Zimbabwe, arriving back in the country on the President Peter Mutharika’s chartered jet.

Speaking during the special meeting with her constituency, Kabwila said she decided to come and explain what has been widely manipulated by her detractors.

“These are my employers (constituents) and I came here to explain on what people have been saying about my free jet ride with the President,” said Kabwila.

Kabwila: No change of heart

“I will not be silenced from being critical and providing checks and balances,” said Kawbila.

Speaking to the group of reporters after the rally, Ward Councillor for Chitala, Everson Mpayani, said the people in the area “trust” Kabwila and remain unmoved.

Jackson Chimphoyo who is a constituency chairman also said he is not having any problem with the issue.

Bauleni Wellington, who is the Regional chairman for the Lakeshore, said: “We discovered that Dr Jessie Kabwila travelled to Zimbabwe on official errands, so do you expect someone on government duties to travel on Kabaza? I mean let’s be realistic her.”

“Had it been that Kabwila has joined other party let’s say Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) she could have consulted me, but nothing of that nature has come out,” said Mkeza.

Kabwila has been a vocal critic of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and has not relented on the MCP’s position that the ruling party rigged the May 20 polls in favour of the Mutharika candidacy ahead of MCP’s Lazarus Chakwera who came second at the ballot.

She has gone as far as alleging that DPP was behind the torching of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) warehouse containing ballot materials scheduled for a vote recount in Lilongwe City South East.